Stirling travel guide
Stirling is a city in Scotland. Stirling is often called the gateway to Highlands due to its location. It is also sometimes referred to as the Clasp of Scotland. This is because its location makes it seem like it’s holding the highlands and lowlands together. It has often been said that “he who holds Stirling, hold’s Scotland” this is because of its strategic location.
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Stirling’s Famous Battles
Stirling is a place steeped in history. Two of the most famous battles fought in the Scottish war of independence happened here. The battle of Stirling Bridge, 11 September 1297 yeah the one from Braveheart. When William Wallace and Andrew Moray (everyone forgets about Moray but he was important to) led Scottish forces against the Englishmen John de Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey and Hugh De Cressingham who’s armies had joined forces to fight the Scots.
Wallace and Moray defeated them at the bridge near Stirling, although Moray was seriously and as it turns out fatally wounded and died a short time later. The other was the Battle of Bannockburn, which took place on 23 and 24 June 1314 when King Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeated King Edward II of England.
Stirling Today
Present day Stirling is a great place to visit with its magnificent castle on the hill above the city looking down on it. With views of the Wallace Monument in distance and many nods to the city past as a major defensive stronghold. Yet it has nods to modern society such as the thistle shopping Centre. Stirling is one of my favourite cities in Scotland.
Things to Do
Stirling castle
Stirling Castle is a magnificent place to visit. It’s in the city centre but is at the top of a short but very steep hill. I prefer Stirlings Castle to the one in Edinburgh. You can book your tickets online at the historic and environmental Scotland website. You can also buy them at the castle on the day but its recommended to get them in advance to guarantee entry. The castle itself is great we spent couple of hours here would could have spent much longer but we had been before and so went to see the bits we really wanted to see again.
A one hour guided tours is also included in the entry price. We found this tour interesting. Don’t forget to look over the walls for outstanding views of the Wallace monument in the east or over the otherside toward Glasgow where on a clear day you can see Loch Lomand and trossachs national park
Wallace Monument
Standing proud on the outskirts of the city of Stirling near the University of Stirling is the national wallace monument.
Church of the Holyrood
Mary Queen of Scots son James later King James VI of Scotland and I of England was christened here. This a small but interesting church with a lot of history located next to the jail and just a short walk from the castle
Old Town Jail
The visit to the jail is in two parts. The first part is a guided tour with the guide telling stories about the jail, its history and the people who worked and were jailed here. The second part of the tour is self guided. You also get to see great views from here and read information and check out the building on your own.
Stirling Bridge
Stirling old bridge is not the original bridge. The original bridge was destroyed in battle. However this beautiful bridge stands close to the site of the original bridge and the site of Wallace and Moray famous battle with the English.
Other things to do
Day trip to Glasgow
Glasgow is less than an hour from Stirling by bus, train or car. Its a great city to visit with free museums such as brilliant Kelvingrove museum and art gallery. Or how about to pollock park to visit the Burrel collection and see some Highland cows. You could also take one of the free walking tours around the city. Then there is the cathedral and world famous Necropolis. Glasgow is a wonderful city with so much to see and do. Glasgow is often overlooked in favour of the more picturesque Edinburgh. However its a great place to visit with lots of things to see and do. Also lets not forget the wonderful people. As the saying goes “people make Glasgow”.
Doune castle
The castle has featured in both Monty Python and Outlander. It’s just a short journey from Stirling City centre by either car or bus. The castle is lovely place to visit with stunning views in all directions. A audio guide is included in the price.
Battle of Bannockburn experience
Just a few miles outside the city is the Battle of Bannockburn experience. This is an interactive museum where technology brings Bruce most famous victory to life. You then get to see the battlefield itself.
Places to eat
The Blue lagoon chippy
The blue lagoon is chain chip shop and there are a number of them throughout Scotland. The one in Stirling has the traditional chip shop with a cafe attached. Its located in Port Street in the city centre. It serves traditional chip shop food such a fish and chips, sausage and chips and so on. It was not the cheapest place to eat but it was nice and we enjoyed it.
Great little Indian restaurant
Maharaja is great little restaurant on king street a short walk from the castle. The food is amazing and the staff are great.
wetherspoons
Wetherspoons is a pub chain with pubs located throughout the UK and the city of Stirling is home to the crossed peels. Wetherspoon serves meals and drinks the crossed Peels is one of the nicer wetherspoons. However if your looking for a gourmet meal you may want to look elsewhere. However if you just looking for a qucike meal such as burger and chips or a panini this could be the place for you
smokeys cafe
Smokey cafe (not smokeys@17) is in Murray place in Stirling. The food was great but the service was incredibly slow which was a shame as we loved the food.
Places to Stay
Lost Guest house Stirling
This is great guest house in the centre of Stirling a few minutes walk from thistle shopping centre and 10 minutes walk from the old town Jail and about 15 minutes from the castle. You could not ask for a better location. The hotel was clean and facilities were good and there was a cooked breakfast or continental breakfast available for £5/£3. I highly recommend this guest house.
Booking.comGetting Around
Stirling has excellent transport links and you can get bus or trains to both Glasgow and Edinburgh direct from here in less than hour for the train.
Stirling is very walkable citiy although there is a short but steep walk up hill to reach the castle. Taxis can drop you off at the castle carpark.
There is a regular bus services from the bus station to the Wallace Monument it stops near the carpark on the main road and is service 52 other services stop close by but this service stop closest.
Doune castle is reachable by bus it takes around 50 minutes but includes a 10 minute walk but we found this an easy walk.
Budget For Stirling
Accommodation
Hostels – beds in a dorm are around £20 and prices start around £52 for a twin private room.
Budget hotels start from around £50 for travellodge £40 -£100 for a independent b&b or guest house which often includes breakfast or breakfast can be added.
These prices will go up significantly in August as many of those going to the Edinburgh festival and tattoo stay in Stirling and commute in by train.
Food and drinks
Traditional Scottish food are hearty affairs think mince and potatoes (minced beef), Haggis, neeps and tatties, meat pies. Porridge is a popular breakfast item. However a cooked breakfast is also very much a thing with a breakfast in a pub costing around £7-£10 for main meal and drinks for a budget restaurant except to pay £10-£15 for one course. You can get great deals at lunch for as little as £5 think soup or a sandwich. Fast food such as McDonalds value meal £6.50-£8. Lots of supermarkets do meal deals for between £3-5 where you can get a sandwich, pasta, sushi etc with a drink and snack.
A pint of beer costs around 4.50-5.50, glass of wine £5-£6, a cappuccino £2.50-£3 in a proper coffee shop
If you plan to cook for yourselves a weekly shop for 2 people will cost you around £40-£60 this will be for basic staples of milk, bread, pasta, vegetables and some meat.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Finally people come to Scotland specifically for Edinburgh and places such as the Isle of Skye have become really popular in recent years. However I much prefer Stirling to many other areas of Scotland i think the castle here is much better than Edinburgh castle. Its a compact city full of history with great places to stays, great places to visit and lots of nice dinning options. I simply love Stirling and cannot wait to visit again.
If you enjoyed my Stirling guide check out my Glasgow Cathedral, Fort William, Doune castle guides.
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